The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-10-27
GEN. R. E. LEES MONUMENT.
Confederate and Union Flags and Pictures Of
Lee and jeff Davis Displayed.

RICHMOND, Va, Oct. 26-Crowds have beea
coming into the city since early morning to sec
the laying of the cornerstone OF the Lee mouu-
mont. Thus far a majority of the early arrivals
show faces that have been rarely eeen In Rich
mond since the war. There are old soldiers
from the interior counties who have been saving
up for months in order to be here to tho
statue of "Ole Mars Bob" they affection
ately called their old commander Another
class is made up of those who. before
the war, com prised the landed gentry. aud who
have, since the termination of the contest, been
living in seclusion in accord with the new era,
eadcened by the loss of fortune So the city is
filed with new faces. although these visitors are
virginians. The work of decoration began in
earnest to-day. Confederate flags OF various
sizes are displayed from housetops. and large
pictures of Leo and jefferson Davis are hung
out among the decorations The dealers who
have Davis's pictures in stock complain that
they do not sell as rapidly as was expected.
One reason is that they are so poorly
executed that no one recognizes Davis
in them. General Ices former residence
here is being deliberately draped. At the head
of Franklyn street, near the monument site. IL
a colossal figure in plaster Of Fame browning
Lee. This is the work of the artists, Elder aud
Sheppard and some of the country people have
taken it for the statue itself. No: since the in
augu ratien of the Stonew all jackson statue has
such arrav of confederate soldiers been In the
city. On all sides the best of humor prevails.
1t is interesting fact that all the flags, whether
confederate Union, and the iithographs OF
Lee and jefferson Davis, we'll as the Leo
medallions and Southern crosses which are being
used, made in New York or Pennsylvania.
One x-Union soldier was peddng Lees medals.
and seemed to be selling great many of them.
An innovation startling to old Virginians, aud
that is causing some unfavorable comment.
is the proposed public marriage which is to
take place on sthe State fair grounds the
names of the contracting parties are kept pro-
found secret The bride elect, by putting in
the plea that her dead father one of Gov
ernor Lees favorite soldiers, induced him to
agree to give her away. AS far as the Jolly
Fitz," as he is called, is concerned, nobody
seems to blame him. they do not see how he
could refuse the request but the proposed pub
lie marriage itself on the fair grounds seems to
shock the old Virginians greatly. What makes
the matter worse in the eyes of these COM
plainants is the statement that not only is
the bride-elect herself member of of the
first families of Virginia. but that six leading
society ladies Of Richmond have consented to
act az chaperones the occasion. Their names
are also kept a secret until tho day of the we'd
ding.
At the inception of the proposed monument
exercises it was intended that General Beaure-
gard should be chief marshal, and that JEFF
Davis should deliver grafton. Mr.. Davis did
not decline until quite late, and Beauregard de-
ferred answering It is understood that Beau
regard was unwilling to be here with Davis. the
feeling between the two not being cordial Ma
hone as an ex-confederate general, was invited.
but he has not been heard from. all of his for.
Der fellow officers being his bitter political OPP